Recap - Aunt making Priya to do the works of the house in Rishi's absence - Rishi caring her
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Days passed.

Priya was recovered soon as Rishi cared her all these days .While Divya and her mother was assigned with more and more tasks by Rishi.Although they were annoyed , they had no choice rather than suffering him.They were annoyed.Especially Divya's anger doubled when she saw Rishi's care towards Priya.

He was made sure that Priya was not doing any of the works of the house . But sometimes in his absence they made her to work.She did everything without any complaint.

Priya started to feel restless when he was not in the house and an unknown feeling creeping her when he was by her side.But her mind always kept saying about her standards.
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One day ,
Priya's aunt and her daughter went out foe their usual outdoor purchase . Rishi and Priya was alone in the house . He was very happy, while Priya was at the peak of nervousness that day.

Rishi's pov

I'm thanking the stupid aunt and her daughter heartfully for this day.Finally i got sometime to spend with her alone.

I noticed her behaviour.She is so nervous today and the sole reason behind this nervousness was me made me chuckle a little.

End of pov

Rishi was working laptop.Rana mailed some important documents that had to be checked by him alone . He was going through it .
After sometime he saw Priya taking small steps and he knew that it would certainly  be into the kitchen.

'Priya ' He called her.

She stopped in her tracks . Her heart started to beat fast. She kept fidgeting the end of her half saree and slowly turned towards him.

'Where are you going ?'

'That..i...i'm going to prepare lunch.' She stammered.

'Prepare lunch only.Don't do any other works. Make something light for the lunch.'He said in a tone blended with a bit of seriousness.

Priya nodded and went to the kitchen.

Half an hour later, Rishi heard a loud scream form the kitchen.
He started to panic.

'What happened? Why is she screaming?....nothing should happen to her'   He prayed to god before running to the kitchen.

As soon as he reached there, Priya ran towards Rishi and hugged him tightly.

He was confused.
He made her to face him , straight. Priya was taking heavy breaths indicating that she was scared of something.

'Priya..calm down..tell me what happened?'
Rishi tried to calm her.

She pointed somewhere inside the kitchen. Rishi didn't see anything there.

'What's there ?' He queried .

'Li..li...li...'She stammered .

'Huh! What ?'

'Lizard ' She gathered the courage and spoke.

Rishi started to laugh hard forgetting her fear towards the lizard.

Her eyes became wet . He was alarmed and stopped his laugh.

'Sorry...I'm sorry for hurting you. Please don't cry. Let me check it.'

Rishi started looking for the lizard, but it was gone by that time. He came towards her.

'See...it's gone. Nowhere to be seen. 'He spoke form the kitchen.

Priya took baby steps inside the kitchen and confirmed that he was telling the truth.

Rishi was admiring her beauty and innocence when she was checking the  lizard. She felt his constant gaze and soon bent her head down to escape from his gaze.

He took small steps towards her , while Priya kept moving back until she found no space to move.Her heart started to beat fast.His hot breath fanned her face.She started to sweat.

'Do...do..you..want anything ?' She stuttered.

'A glass of water .'

She filled the water in a glass and handed over to him. While handing over , his hands lightly touched hers igniting a new feeling in her.

Suddenly , Priya turned to come outside the kitchen . But Rishi held her wrist making her to stop in her tracks. She didn't turn back. Rishi came facing her.

'Priya...look at me.' Rishi said.

She did not looked at him. He slowly raised her chin to make her face him.

' Do you want to say something to me ? ' Rishi asked her.

She shook her head in no.

'But i want to say something really important to you.' He said

Priya was confused.

'Priya ....didn't you asked me why i came here even when I've a family ?'

She nodded.

'I came here for you.Yes... i said a lie to my parents and came her only for you. I started to feel restless since the day of the accident. Your face kept coming in my mind . From then , it became my daily routine to see you. I started to admire you the day you bought food to the children even they were no one to you.I loved your innocence.  My heart always craved for your presence and wrenched in pain seeing you working as not more than a servant for your stupid aunt .

You're neither a servant nor an orphan.I will be there with you forever .I love you Priya .I love you sincerely fork the bottom of my heart . Will you be my better half ? ' Rishi completed saying.

Priya was standing there without blinking her eyes . A tear drop fell down her cheek.

'What did i hear now ? Rishi...Rishi...he loves me. I didn't know what to say.  I'm really confused.  It's true that my heart also cravedfor his presence. But just think about yourself Priya, my mind said.

Does he really love me? How can i be his better half ? '

My thoughts came to an end when Rishi called me.

'Priya...what're you thinking? Do you love me ?' He asked expecting a positive reply from her side.

'That...i..i...how can i love you? I'm...I'll not be matching to your status. You'll get rich girls from good families. I'm no one ' He interrupted her.

'Did i ask you all this ? Priya don't think that you've no one.  Don't lie. Look into my eyes and say that you don't love me . ' Rishi said.

Priya hugged him suddenly and started to cry. He hugged her back.

'Rishi..i..i..too love you. But i had no courage to say this to you. I didnot know you loved me ' She said crying .

He wiped her tears and kissed her forehead .Priya closed her eyes to feel the moment . She continued -

'I lost my parents when i was small . I was all alone from then. I used to work day and night for this house.  I slept on empty stomach many days as my aunt refused yo give me food . She slaps me even if i didnot do anything wrong.I was not allowed to educate.They made me do the works of the house when I was ill. I was not allowed to go anywhere other than for purchasing the things needed for the house , not even to the temple. I always wished to visit the temple.
And i.....'
Priya stopped when she saw tear drops falling from his eyes. Rishi  pulled her into a tight hug and kissed her hairs.

'You suffered a lot ' Rishi cupped her face

'I'll not allow you to suffer anymore.'

'Rishi..but...I'm no match for you.Your parents ...what 'll they say ? I'm scared ' Priya said in a worried tone.

'My parents are not that bad . Certainly they can understand our feelings.I'll convince them. Don't worry about that. I love you . Don't say that you're not a match for me again.'

She nodded with a smile.

'Now go and get ready . Let's go out.' Rishi said.

No..no...no...I'm scared Rishi . My aunt..they'll return soon. They'll kill me. I'm not coming anywhere.'

'And do you think that i'll allow them to kill you? Well let's see if they are brave enough to touch you.'

'But...'

'They'll return only in the evening.  I assure you. No ifs and buts . Just do what i said.'

After a few minutes, she came ....draped herself in a simple half saree. Her long hair was kept neatly. Moreover her innocence intensified her beauty.

Rishi's jaw dropped seeing her. Priya came near him .

'You are looking beautiful as always. ' He said for which she blushed.

'Don't blush like that . You're making me hard to control. '

Priya blushed hard again.

Suddenly Rishi made her shocked by placing a kiss on her cheek.

'Sorry...i didn't mean to...'
He was interrupted by her.

'I didnot regret.'saying this Priya bent her head down as she felt so shy to look at him.

He chuckled.

'Come...let's go.'

'But...where are we going ? ' She enquired.

'There are lots of places to go. Why are you worrying ? I wanted to...but unfortunately, i cannot show you the whole of the world.' Rishi said making Priya to laugh.

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Aiswarya2018.